Laguna Beach Visitors Guide 2009-2010 - (Page 14) ITINERARIES PG 14 Heisler Park Marine Reserve Crystal Cove State Park COURTENAY NEARBURG FUN FOR FAMILIES ITINERARY 3 C reate long-lasting family memories with a trip to Laguna Beach. At this oceanside resort, committed to preserving the local ecology, your children will find activities where they can learn about the environment and gain an appreciation for nature—education disguised as fun! Laguna’s famed beaches are family friendly and feature wide stretches of sand perfect for sandcastle building. Diver’s Cove, adjacent to Picnic Beach, is particularly good for splashing and wading in shallow waters. Older kids seeking a more exhilarating experience will enjoy riding the waves on boogie boards, which are available for rent. A whole new world of exploration awaits your family as you investigate the many tidepools along the shoreline. Fascinating creatures inhabit the shallow saltwater pools revealed during low tide. Heisler Park Reserve and Treasure Island are two popular tidepooling sites. During peak summer months and holiday weekends, docents are available at some tidepool sites to answer questions and guide you over the wave-sculpted rocks. Send an e-mail to lbvb@lagunabeachinfo.com and receive a complimentary tidepool DVD produced by the Laguna Ocean Foundation. To further enhance your experience, Laguna Outreach for Community Arts (LOCA) teaches a mini-workshop that mixes art with tidepool education. Each participant crafts their own journal about their visit. Their Tidepool Adventure is offered on selected weekends in the spring and during the fall. After a fun-filled morning, head into town to grab a casual lunch. Whether your family is in the mood for burgers and fries, pizza or sandwiches, you can find it all within a block or two of the beach (see page 48). Feel like having a picnic? Buy the fixings at one of the local grocers and enjoy them at Picnic Beach. Afterward, stroll to one of the local ice cream, gelato or specialty candy shops for dessert (see page 56 and 57). In the afternoon head up Laguna Canyon Road. Stop in at Pure Light where each of you can make a personalized candle. To find out more about marine mammals, schedule a visit to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center to observe rescued sea lions and seals (see page 27). To view these pinnipeds in their natural habitat, book a guided kayak eco tour (see page 30 and 32). You can embark on whale and dolphin watching excursions, just south of Laguna Beach (see page 32). Gray whale migration reaches its peak from November through April, and few things are as impressive as getting up close and personal with these ocean-going mammals. If your family prefers to stay on land, the Nix Nature Center, located in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, features an easy trail, which loops around the visitor’s center, as well as access to other walking paths suitable for children. Weekends at the center feature hands-on activities for families (see page 25). If you're visiting with your favorite furry friend, Laguna Beach is pet-friendly. Pets are welcome at most beaches, at the dog park, and at certain restaurants and lodging venues (see pages 47 and 66). Please visit lagunabeachinfo.com and click on Add to Itinerary to create your own one-of-a-kind experience. FOR MORE INFO LOGON TO www.lagunabeachinfo.com http://www.lagunabeachinfo.com http://www.lagunabeachinfo.com
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